While west Dorset has been shivering due to plunging temperatures, there's blooming good news at Mapperton Gardens.

Spring may seem like a while away, but the first signs will soon be poking through at the gardens.

The house and gardens, near Beaminster, will be welcoming visitors for Snowdrop Sundays in the coming weeks.

This annual tradition is an opportunity to enjoy a spot of fresh air with a peaceful woodland wander as well as exploring the topiary and grottoes of the formal Italianate gardens.

The Coach House café will be open and selected plants including snowdrops and reticulated irises will also be on sale.

The Earl and Countess of Sandwich have made Mapperton their home since the early 1980s. The Montagu family, which has owned farmland south of the house since the 1760s, first moved to Mapperton from Hinchingbrooke House, near Huntingdon, in 1956.

The house, which was voted 'the Nation’s Finest Manor House by Country Life magazine, and gardens have been used as the location for several feature films.

Head Gardener Steven Lannin is looking forward to welcoming everyone: “February is a great month to get the wellies out and look around the garden with fresh eyes. The peaceful wild garden and woodlands offer space to stretch your legs and admire the early blooming spring flowers.”

Keen gardeners will find many different hellebores and camellias making an appearance around the gardens, and don’t forget to take a look inside the Orangery to spot the Abutilon, citrus flowers, begonias and tree ferns.

Snowdrop Sundays will be held on the February 2, 9 and 16 with entry open from 11am to 4pm. Admission is £5 per person with under 16s free. Mapperton Estate will be making a donation to the National Garden Scheme from the Snowdrop Sundays proceeds.

This year, Mapperton will host two plant fairs, a spring concert in the church, Easter trail, Shakespeare in the Gardens, summer Creepy Crawly shows, an Eat Well Live Well food & wellbeing fair, wedding showcase and a Halloween trail

For more information about Mapperton House & Gardens, which opens its doors for the season on Sunday, March 8 visit mapperton.com